Lighter



y 1933- H. STEINFIELD LIGHTER Filed Jan. 2, 1930 INVENTOR M17 1' 1 77Z 044 ATTQRNEY Patented May 23, 1933 UNITED srAras PATENT OFFICE HARRYSTEINFIELD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF THREE-TENTHS TO EDWARDERVIN, AND ONE-FIFTH TO CLAIRE TAMAG-Nb, BOTH OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LIGHTER Application filed January 2, 1930. Serial No. 417,978.

My invention relates to a new and improved lighter.

One of the objects of my invention is to produce a compact device, whichcan be simply and cheaply manufactured.

' Another object of my invention is to pro duce a device in which allthe essential parts are enclosed in a casing, from which a singlemovable part projects. This movable part actuates the device, so that itis not necessary to touch any part which can soil the fingers of theuser.

Another object of my invention is to provide a compact device ofcylindrical form,

so that it can be provided with a clip, like a fountain pen, or thedevice can be attached to a watch chain.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device having a stone orpyrophoric member which extends around the exposed end of the wick, inorder to reliably ignite the same.

Other objects of my invention will be set forth in the followingdescription and draw- 95 ing, which illustrate preferred embodimentsthereof, it being understood'that the above statement of the objects ofmy invention are intended to generally explain the same, withoutlimiting it in any manner.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view.

Fig. 2 is a vertical central section.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an elevation partially in section showing the parts in theoperative position.

Fig. 5 shows a modification.

The device is provided with a casing 1 which is preferably open at itslower end. The bottom of the casing 1 has an external threading by meansof which a cap 2 is connected in position. An inner slidable casing 3fits snugly within the outer casing 1 so that the inner wall of theouter casing 1 serves to guide the sliding movement of the inner casing3. The inner casing 3 is open at its bottom and a sleeve or ferrule 4 isconnected to the bottom of the inner casing 3 .in a liquid-tight manner.This may be done for example, by upsetting the inner end of 50 theferrule 4. The member 4 can move slidablyin the bottom opening of thecap 2. The mner casing 3 is connected at its top in a liquid-tightmanner to an upper ferrule 5 in which the wick W is located. Said wick Walso extends into the inner casing 3, which may contain any suitablecombustible llquid. A compression spring 6 is provided to normally holdthe parts in the inoperative position shown in Fig. 2. The bottom of themember 4 may be provided with affillmg opening and with a suitable capor other closure, in order to enable the combustible liquid to beconveniently poured into the inner casing 3. The top of the casin 1 isalso provided with an external thread y means of which an upper cap 7can be secured in position. Said cap 7 is provided with a centralclosure 8, which is connected to the cap 7 by means of a hinge 9. Anysuitable spring (not shown in the drawing) may be provided for normallykeeping the closure 8 in the position shown in Fig. 2.

The upper end of thecasing 1 is provided with a bracket member 10 bymeans of which the split ring .R, made of any suitable pyrophoricmaterial, is located. Springs 11 are provided for holding the ringsections in the proper position.

The upper end of the ferrule 5 is provided with an upper perforatedmember 12, whose periphery is roughened so that this acts as thestriking member. The upper end of the ferrule 5 is likewise providedwith a pin or projection 14 which is adapted to open the closure 8, whenthe device is operated.

In order to operate the device, it is merely necessary to upwardly movethe ferrule 4. The pin 14 opens the closure 8, and the roughened surfaceof the member 12 strikes against the inner wall of the split ring R, soas to produce an abundance of sparks all around the exposed end of thewick W so that this is 'reliably ignited. The sections of the split ringR can be provided with extensions 18 in order to limit the innermovement of the sections of the ring R.

However, this feature may be omitted as the frictional hold on thesections of the split ringlt between the inner top wall of the cap 7,and the cooperating portion of the bracket members 10, will besuflicient to permit the same to be held in proper position.

If desired, bracket member 10 may made of springy material so as tolightly hold the sections of the split ring R' in proper position. Thatis, the bracket or support 10 permits the springs 11 to move thesections inwardly, as the pyrophoric material is worn away.

The pin 14 may have an extension 140., which produces a spark at theheight of the top of the wick, or very close thereto. A plurality ofsuch members 14 may be located circumferentially around the exposed endof the wick, so that sparks are produced which can pass between saidmembers 14, to ignite the wick. There may be two of such members 14, orany desired number. If an additional member (or members) 14 is provided,it may be shorter than that shown in Fig. 4, as only one of such membersis necessary to open closure 8.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, a washer 100,, and the spring 6,serve to hold the sections of ring R in proper position. The ring B. maybe solid instead of being s lit.

I prefer to have the member 14 somewhat springy so that it can yieldlaterally before it opens closure 8, against the force of the springwhich holds said closure 8 in closed position. This causes sparks to beproduced before the closure 8 is opened, as well as after the closure 8is opened.

For convenience, I have shown the device as being held in the verticalposition, but of course, it could be held in any position while it isbeing operated.

The quick upper or outward movement of member 12 causes the sparks to bethrown upwardly, in order to ignite the wick.

The outer casing 1 may be of any desired shape. It may be imperforate,or it may be provided with openings, as long as it guides the movementof inner casing 3. Likewise, the ignition means may be varied, withoutdeparting from one .of the important features of the invention, whichconsists in having the casing in which the wick and combustible liquidare located, movable relative to the outer member.

Likewise, the device could be readily adapted for use with a solid fuel,and it is not restricted to the use of a wick.

The pyrophoric member (or members) and the striker (or strikers), may bedesignated as the ignition means. Part of said ignition means arelocated on the inner casingadjacent its outlet. In the embodimentillustrated, in which a wick is used, the wick projects from the outlet.

I have shown a )referrcd embodiment of my invention, but it is clearthat numerous changes and omissions could be made without departing fromits spirit.

It will be noted that the closure 8 causes a rich mixture to accumulatewithin casing 1' (if this is imperforate). Hence, since sparks areproduced before the closure 8 is opened, and the closure 8 is thenquickly opened, the ignition is reliably accomplished. Likewise, theclosed casing prevents the evaporation of the fuel. The ring R couldhave two or more sections. The exposed end of the wick is protected bymembers 14, if a suflicient number are used, so that the flame cannot bereadily blown out by a wind.

I claim:

In a lighter, the combination with a cylindrical easing having ends,each end having a concentric aperture of less area than the end, acylindrical fuel container slidably fitted within said casing, coaxialtherewith and within the ends thereof, a wick neck of less diameter thansaid container extending from one end of said container and beingcoaxial therewith and with said casing, said neck being adapted toreciprocate through the said opening in the casing end adjacent saidneck as said container is reciprocatcd in said casing, a projection fromthe opposite end of said container from said neck, said projection beingcylindrical, coaxial with said container and said casing and of lessdiameter than said container, said projection extending through theopening in the casing end opposite that in which the said neckreciprocates, igniting means adjacent the casing aperture through whichsaid neck reciprocates, comprising cooperating elements adaptcd to beoperated by relative movement of said container and casing, aspring-pressed closure for the last mentioned casing opening. saidclosure being adapted to be opened as said neck is pressed outwardlythrough said opening and a. spring interposed between the end of saidcontainer and the end of said casing adjacent said neck, said springsurrounding said neck and adapted to force said container against thecasing end adjacent said projection, the container being moved in theopposite direction against pressure of said spring by pressing on saidprojection.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' HARRY STEINFIELD.

